Article conveying and transferring mechanism



Dec. 3, 1957 H. E. ENGLESON ET AL 2,815,112

ARTICLE CONVEYING AND TRANSFERRING MECHANISM Filed April 5. 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TORS:

HARRY E. EN GLESON ELMER SRAMEK ATT'Ys Dec. 3, 1957 H. E. ENGLEsoN ETAL 2,815,112

ARTICLE CONVEYING AND TRANSFERRING MECHANISM Filed April 5. 1954 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS: HARRYE. ENGLESON ELMER SRAMEK BY ,Mr/@Hf ATT'Ys .N 6, s w m# M .n e 7 TG T M 5 av e NNM A S 3 5 EEA r u 3 ,uw WE@ ...1.11 ll l Al- 7 uw N\\\ HE e 111.111

Dec. 3, 1957 H. E. ENGLEsoN ET AL 4ARTICLE CONVEYING AND TRANSFERRING MECHANISM Filed April 5. 1954 Dec. 3, 1957 H. E. ENGLEsoN ET AL 2,315,112

ARTICLE CONVEYING AND TRANSFERRING NECHANISM Filed April 5. 1954 HARRY E. ENGLESON T V ELMER SRAMEK [23 .l BYWOMMfM ATT'Ys e\ \2' le ,7 JNVENTORS:

Dec, 3, 1957 H. E. ENGLEsoN ET A1. 2,815,112

ARTICLE CONVEYING AND TRANSFERRING MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 rVENTORS:

HARRY E. ENGLESON ELMER SRAMEK @l M?, Bylaywzjmfqmwf Dec. 3, 1957 H. E. ENGLEsoN ET AL 2,815,112

ARTICLE CONVEYING AND TRANSFERRING MECHANISM Filed April 5. 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 (D O O Y F|G.l2 8a O O O @WO Ow *iw 1W INVENTORS: HARRY E. ENGLESON ELMER SRAM EK Dec. 3, 1957 H. E. ENGLEsoN ET A1. 2,815,112

ARTICLE CONVEYING AND TRANSFERRING MEcHANIsM Filed April 5. 1954 '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTORS: HARRY E. ENGLESON ELM ER SRAMEK r ATT'Ys United States 4Patent O ARTICLE CONVEYING AND TRANSFERRING MECHANISM Harry E. Engleson, Chicago, and Elmer Sramek, Cicero, lll., assignors to F. B. Redington Co., Chicago, lll., a corporation of Delaware Application April 5, 1954, Serial No. 420,882

15 Claims. (Cl. 198--30) This invention relates to article conveying and transfer mechanism for conveying articles to a predetermined position and location for ultimate arrangement to be placed into cartons.

The broad concept of the invention consists in providing a group of conveyers which convey articles to a predetermined position along a given path, and then transferring the articles to a diierent conveying or transportation element to eifect the positioning of the articles along a moving conveyer, ultimately to distribute the articles in juxtaposition for cartoning the same.

The machine of the invention consists in a plurality of moving line-conveyers, each carrying articles arranged in end-to-end relationship, and then positioning the articles on a single transport device in the nature of a conveyer so that the articles will be delivered from several conveyers and transported successively to a device constituting elevating and transport mechanism. The articles, as received on the transport mechanism, are positioned -on their sides to be pushed along tothe respective mechanism and conveying devices. The specific packages herein shown each comprises a stack of at disc-like round cookies arranged Within a cellophane wrapper to form a relatively tubular package. However, the package need not be cylindrical, but may be of any size, shape, contour or configuration suited to fulfill the needs. Each article or package is discharged from the transport mechanism for deposit upon a conveyor which is arranged at right angles to the transport mechanism, and then regrouped in two lines with the packages of each line arranged end-to-end. Additional means are then provided to regroup two wrapped articles in side-by-side relation for insertion into a carton.

The invention further consists in the arrangement of feed line conveyers which feed an article successively from the several conveyers to a predetermined position to a single transport device for subsequent distribution for conveying and regrouping.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of new and novel means in the nature of article transfer and conveying mechanism which embodies a plurality of feed line conveyers for feeding articles, such as stacked iiat cookies in a cellophane sack or wrapper, to conveying position in proper timed relation, and in a predetermined sequence and arrangement, to bring the articles to certain preselected arranged positions forlater insertion into cartons.

Another object of the invention consists in delivering articles, arranged in end-to-end relation, from several' conveyers for deposit on a `device to group the articles in pairs for sidemovement to be later deposited on a` con- ICC veyer in a plurality of lines, each line having the articles or packages arranged in end-to-end relationship for later assembly or grouping for insertion into cartons.

Another object resides in the provision of new and novel means for receiving articles from a plurality of feed lines, and distributing thearticles from the feed lines to a single transport device for redistribution in a predetermined formation to an angularly positioned conveyer for reassembly and cartoning.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of novel means,`including clamping devices, so constructed and arranged that certain of the packages or articles are held `in stationary or clamped position to permit feeding or transporting of the articles at proper set times and allowing only the proper number or quantity to be released at a proper time to thus provide feeding and releasing at the precise moment for further transportation in proper sequence and arrangement.

A further object resides in the provision of certain novel clamping or holding means, including in some instances both mechanically and electrically operated devices, for holding the articles when need be to effect proper feeding or releasing of the proper number of articles at a given time whereby all the operating parts of the conveying, transporting or transferring mechanism need not be synchronized, and therefore permitting different mechanisms to be independently operated or driven by independent means such as by separate motors.

A still further object of the invention resides in the novel arrangement, location and construction of the parts for causing articles to be distributed along certain predetermined paths in proper sequence in a certain preselected manner. v

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the specification which is to follow.

The accompanying `drawings illustrate a certain selected embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail perspective view showing conveying, transporting and elevating mechanisms for conveying articles by line feed conveyers to a predetermined position for elevation to transport mechanism to gather and distribute articles in a preferred arrangement and later discharging the articles for redistribution toward cartoning position;

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view looking in the direction of the arrows 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective View, similar to Fig. 2 but showing certain parts diagrammatically;

Fig. 4 is an electrical diagram disclosing the operation of certain mechanism principally shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view showing elevating mechanism for receiving and elevating articles from a plurality of conveyers to the transport device and for discharging the articles in proper sequence, said figure looking in the direction of the arrows 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view, looking in the direction of the arrows 6 6 of Fig. 5 and showing part of the elevating and transport devices;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5; t

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail fragmentary transverse sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 8--8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective fragmentary view of a certain part of the bed of the transport mechanism and the elevating means for moving articles from the elevating means through the bottom of the bed of the transport mechanism;

Fig. is a detail transverse sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 10-10 of Fig. 1;

Fig. ll is a detail diagrammatic or schematic view, showing in perspective, the manner in which the articles are conveyed from the feed conveyers to the elevating means, over the transport means, and then to a subsequent conveyer for further transportation;

Fig. 12 is a detail side elevational view showing certain conveying and positioning mechanism for arranging articles to a right angle position for further conveying toward cartoning position;

Fig. 13 is a detail top plan view of the part of the structure disclosed in Fig. l2;

Fig. 14 is a detail diagrammatic or schematic perspective view disclosing certain pushers which have their pivotal connections to spaced parallel chains spaced laterally from each other; and

Pigs. to 19 inclusive are detail perspective views showing diagrammatically the progressive movement of the articles to shift the articles at a ninety degree angle and in side-by-side relation in pairs for packaging a pair of the articles in a single container.

The particular construction herein shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention comprises conveying mechanism for conveying, transporting, grouping and distributing articles along predetermined paths, whereby articles are discharged from several single line conveyers for further distribution along a predetermined path and in a preselected arrangement. The particular article convcying, elevating, transporting and transferring mechanism is an yactual machine for conveying, transferring, gathering and distributing articles, such as stacks of at, circular cookies arranged within a cellophane sack or wrapper to provide, relatively, articles in `the form of cylindrical packages to be packed later into cartons.

The structure of the invention comprises a supporting framework 1 which includes a plurality of vertical columns or standards 2. A plurality of line feed conveyers 3, ve being shown, Fig. 1, feed articles from various sources to a predetermined position for gathering and distributing purposes.

Each of the conveyers 3, Figs. l, 2 and 1l, comprises a conveying surface 4, such as the top side of an endless belt 5, for conveying articles 6. Each belt 5 may be trained over suitable idler and drive pulleys in the usual manner. The drive pulleys may be driven from a drive shaft in any well-known manner such as by an electric motor (not shown). Each line conveyer 3 includes side guides 7 between which the articles are guided. A top bar 8 is positioned between the guides 7 and is located a predetermined distance above the conveying surface 4 of a belt 5 at or near the discharge end of a conveyor 3, Fig. 2.

The articles 6 may be conveyed by all ve conveyers 3, or by one or more, according to the amount of production at the time. Circumstances, however, depend upon the amount of production and the number of articles to be conveyed, and therefore, it may be practical or desirable that only one conveyer 3 be used at a certain time, or whether two or more conveyers are needed to supply the requirements at a given time. The construction is such. however, that one conveyer may be sufiicient, or that more than one conveyer is required, or all five of the conveyers may be used. Two or more conveyers may be operated simultaneously to transport the articles 6 from discharge position to an elevating device for transfer to a transport member 9.

Transport member 9 The transport member 9, Figs. 1 and 8 to ll, comprises 4 n spaced parallel endless chains 10, 10, Figs. 1 and 10, driven by sprockets 11, 11 on a driven power shaft 12 from an electric motor 13, Fig. 1. The chains 10, 1t) are trained over idler pulleys 14 mounted on an end idler shaft 1S. The spaced chains l0, 10 are connected together by transverse pushers 16 which are spaced a predetermined distance longitudinally of the chains 10, Fig. 1. The pusher members 16 each include a flat body part 17, which is connected to opposite chains, and from which there projects outwardly extending fingers or arms 18 integral with the iat plate part 17, Fig. 8.

The upper reaches 19 of the chains liti are supported by longitudinal bars 2i), Fig. l0, which underlie the upper reaches of the chains along the bottoms thereof to prevent sag in these reaches of the chain. The lower reaches 21 of the chains 1li are supported by a chain support 22 to prevent sagging of the chains at the bottom. The transport mechanism 9 comprises in effect a continuously operating conveyer arranged above a stationary bed plate 23 upon which the articles 6 are received, the said articles being propelled along the stationary bed 23 by the arms 18 of a pusher 16. The articles are placed on top of the stationary bed or plate 23 and propelled along the plate 23 by the arms 18 of the pushers 16 which, in this conveying or pushing position, extend downwardly from the lower reaches 21 of the chains iti. The line feed conveyers 3, being located in a plane below the top of the stationary bed 23, must include a series of elevating means to elevate the articles from the plane of the conveyers 3 to the top of the bed 23. Elevating mechanism 24, therefore, is required for each conveyer 3 to raise the articles from the plane of the belts 5 to position, where they will be moved along the bed 23 by the arms 18 of the pushers 16.

Elevatz'ng mechanism 24 Each elevating mechanism or means 24, Figs. 5, 6, 8 and 9, comprises a transverse shaft 25 which is driven from the power shaft 12 by meshing bevel gears 26 and 27 on the shafts 12 and 25 respectively, Fig. 5,

Each shaft 25 carries adjustable sweep arms 2S, Figs. 5, 8 and 9, which are located immediately adjacent the discharge end of a belt 5 of each conveyer 3. Two articles 6, on each belt 5, Fig. 11, fall in the path of the sweep arms 23 which are iixed to the rotating shaft 25. As the articles 6 reach the discharge end of a belt 5 of a conveyer 3, they are so timed that the legs of the sweep arms 28 will be in position to pick up two articles and :sweep them upwardly along stationary curved rigid fingers 29 which are fixed to rigid parts of the supporting frame structure, Fig. 1l. The two articles 6 are thus swept by the arms 28 along the curved inner side walls 30 of the rigid fingers 2-9 until they arrive at a position immediately above the stationary bed 23 and in the path of movement of an oncoming pusher 16. The positioning of the articles on the belt 5 of the conveyer 3, the rotative movement of the sweep arms 28, and the longitudinal pushing movement of a pusher 16 is such that after two successive articles reach the end of the conveyer 3, in endtoend relation, they will be engaged by the sweep arms 28, moved to horizontal position on the bed 23, and then be pushed horizontally along the bed 23 by a pusher 16.

The tirst conveyer 3, that is, the conveyer to the extreme left, as shown in Fig. 1, is so positioned with respect to the bed 23 that there will be a space or opening between the end wall 31, Fig. 1, of the transport mechanism 9 and the extreme left-hand end 32 of the bed 23, Fig. 1. There is, however, an opening in the bed plate 23 opposite each conveyer 3 to permit two other articles being conveyed by the conveyers 3, Fig. 9, to be deposited on top of the stationary bed 23 by the elevating mechanism 24. However, the first two articles leaving the first conveyer (extreme left, Fig. 1) are free -to be moved through the opening opposite the first conveyer. Articles from other openings will pass through those openings opposite a respective conveyer 3. These successive openings, however, must be closed over at the proper time and, therefore, supporting means are provided to support the articles as they are moving along the bed Z3 during the movement of the pushers 16, Fig. 9.

Opening closure The means for closing the openings at the end of each conveyer (except the first one) consists in the provision of a plurality of spaced lingers 33, each of which is pivoted at 34 to the bed plate 23 as indicated, Fig. 9. Thus, during the operation of the elevating mechanism 24 for raising articles from the conveyers 3, the lightweight pivoted iingers 33 will be forced upwardly by the engagement of articles being carried by the sweep arms 28 against the underside of the pivoted fingers 33. As soon as the articles are raised to a predetermined upward position opposite the top of the bed plate, the fingers 33 will return by gravity to closed position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 9.

The sweep arms 23 of the elevating mechanism 24 receive the articles after they are discharged from a conveyer 3. The construction and arrangement is such that there will be no interference of the operation of the fingers 33 during the time other packages are being propelled along the bed 23. For example, starting with the first conveyer 3 at the farthest left, Fig. 1, the first two articles, arranged end-to-end, are picked up by the sweep arms 28 and moved to a position above the bed 23 for engagement with a pusher 16. After the pusher 16, with the two end-to-end-articles which it is propelling away from the first opening, reaches a certain position they will pass beyond the next succeeding finger closed opening. As soon as the articles pass beyond said latter opening, the sweep arms 28 for the second conveyer will pick two more articles from the second conveyer and push them through the second opening, against the fingers 33, and place them on the bed 23; the fingers 33 again closing the opening after delivery therethrough and permitting the next succeeding articles to be placed upon and moved along the bed 23. This arrangement continues in successive steps until the articles in groups of two, 'from conveyers 3, 4 and 5, have passed through their respective openings and are received successively on the bed 23. After the two articles from the last conveyer are in place, another two articles will be brought into position by the iirst conveyer, whereby the cycle is repeated in the same manner.

Two articles, arranged end-to-end, are iirst delivered from the first conveyer to the bed 23. Then, after those two articles pass beyond the second conveyer, two additional articles from the second conveyer will be deposited behind the articles of the tirst conveyer, Fig. 11. These latter articles then pass beyond a third series of two articles from the third conveyer, and so on until all the pairs of articles will have passed in regular sequence from the fifth conveyer. The steps are successively followed in order until pairs of articles from all of the conveyers 3 have been applied on the bed 23. Two end-toend articles from the first conveyer are then again placed in position on the bed plate 23 where successive cycles are continued.

A plurality of spring fingers 35, Fig. 6, are arranged between the curved rigid fingers 29 to maintain a slight pressure on the two end-to-end articles 6 during their movement over the inner curved surfaces 30` of the rigid fingers 29, as well as to prevent the articles from being centrifugally thrown or moving faster than the normal operating speed of the sweep arms 2S.

The articles 6 on the transport mechanism 9 are arranged in pairs in axial alignment as previously described and as shown diagrammatically, particularly in Fig. 11. After the successive pairs of articles are moved along by the pushers 16, they are deposited on a conveyer 36, Fig. ll. The conveyer 36 is relatively wide, being divided by a divider strip or element 37 which overlies the top reach of the belt conveyer 36. The divider 37 is positioned substantially midway between the side edges of the conveyer 36, whereby two articles, as they leave the transport member 9 by being pushed by the pushers 16, will cause one article to be moved to one side of the conveyer 36 where it is stopped by an abutment 38, while the other article will be stopped by the divider 37. The two articles, therefore, are physically spaced apart laterally a predetermined distance as well as spaced apart longitudinally. The conveyer 36 moves in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1l, so that when an article, to the left, leaves the transport mechanism 9 it will be moving so that it will arrive directly opposite an article subsequently discharged from the right-hand line. The articles are thus arranged in end-to-end relation in two lines and conveyed toward packaging position by means of an additional conveyer 39, Fig. 1l. The two lines of articles pass down along an inclined ramp from the conveyer 36 to the conveyer 39, now being at the same level from the iioor as they were prior to being elevated by the elevating mechanism.

The conveyer 39 conveys the articles in two lines, in end-to-end relation, to a device which is adapted to shift pairs of articles at right angles as disclosed in applicants copending application, Serial No. 420,883, filed April 5, 1954, and entitled Article Transporting and Conveying Mechanism. This latter copending application discloses the repositioning or redistribution of the articles so that they are arranged in side-by-side relationship where they are later pushed into cartons to be packaged.

All the mechanism of the invention is such that the articles will be in their proper position for transferring, elevating, transporting and conveying even though separate and distinct motors, or other prime movers, be used to drive the parts independently. It is desirable that the articles, when moving along the conveyers 3, be arranged in proper end-to-end relationship without jamming. It is also desirable that the articles on the conveyers 3 be prevented from being discharged until there are a proper number of articles in proper position to be elevated by the elevating means 24 and then transported by the transporting mechanism 9. It is preferable, too, that the articles cease being fed when there are not the proper number of articles at the delivery end of the conveyers. Therefore, stop and timing means are provided to hold back the articles, but still permit the proper number to be fed at the proper time for transportation by the` mechanism previously described. The means for effecting delayed movement of the articles and for the proper transporting and conveying of them is shown particularly in Figs. 2 to 4.

Delaying, stopping and timing mechanism The means for stopping or holding back articles from delivery, Figs. 2 to 5, comprises detector elements 40, 40' having weighted gravity-operating arms which operate micro switches 4l, d1', Figs. 2 to 4. The arms of the detectors 4t), 40 are each pivotally pivoted at 42 to a rigid part of the machine frame, and due to the fact that the ends of the arms are weighted, they will be normally in the inoperative stopped or down position. However, when the articles 6 pass along a conveyer 3, by being conveyed by the belt 5, they will engage the underside of the free ends of the arms of the detectors titi, 40' and lift the arms upwardly to energize the electric circuit to release articles for delivery to the elevating device 24 and the transport mechanism 9. lnasmuch as the articles are arranged in relatively close position and in substantially end-to-end contact, the arms of the detectors 40, 40 will be in their raised or up position and permit the machine to operate. The arms of both detectors must be in their raised positions to release the articles. Therefore, as the articles are moving along the conveyer, they will operate uninterruptedly, but as soon as there are no articles being fed along a belt 5, either or both of the arms of the detectors 40, will drop, operate the micro switches 4l, 4l.' and clamp an article and hold back the line.

Means for stopping the movement of articles, that is, to prevent the articles from jamming along a belt 5 of a conveyer 3 as they move toward the elevating means 24, comprises a pair of stop or clamp arms 43 and 44, Figs. 2 and 3. The stop arm 43 (to the right, Fig. and to the left, Fig. 3) is mechanically operated while the stop arms 44 (to the left, Fig. 2, and to the right, Fig. 3) is electrically controlled.

The mechanically stop arm 43 is mounted on a base 45, Fig. 2, which is iixed to a mechanically operated rock shaft or rod 46, Fig. 2. The rock shaft 46 is connected to a crank, arm 48 which is pivotally connected at 49 to a vertically reciprocating rod Sti. The lower end of the rod Sti is pivotally connected at Si to an arm 52 of a bell crank 53 which is pivoted at 554 to a rigid part of the machine frame ll. The upper arm 55 of the bell crank 52 is pivoted at 56 to `a horizontally reciprocating rod 57 which is pivoted at 53 to a cam operating arm 59. The cam arm 59 has a roller 6@ which engages the periphery 6i of a cam 62, Fig. 5. The cam 62 is secured to the main drive shaft l2 so that during continuous rotation of the drive shaft i2, the mechanical stop arm 43, Fig. 2, will be caused to oscillate in a vertical arc and contact the side of an article on a belt 5 of a conveyer 3.

The movement of the arm 44, Fig. 2, is such that, when released, that is, moved away from Contact with an article, it will be operated electrically to cause intermittent physical contact with the side of an article. The arms 43 and 44 cause the oncoming articles on the conveyers 3 to be momentarily stopped. Each. rievolution of the power shaft causes the arm 43 to have contacting engagement with the side of the first of a pair of articles as the articles move along the belts 5 and hold the articles stationary on top of the moving belts 5 at the proper time. The mechanism for timing these arms temporarily holds two articles in position for later discharge into the moving elevating device 24. As the elevating device 24 is also operated by the power shaft l2, the sweep arms 2S will operate in proper timed relationship therewith, the clamp arm 43 holding articles back for later release, two at a time.

Timing means may be provided so the articles may be released at precisely the proper time for elevation by the r elevating means 24 so that each sweep arm 28 will be in position to receive only two end-to-end positioned articles from a respective belt 5 for elevation to the bed 23. rl`his latter timing means, Figs. l and 5, is contro-lled by the rotative movement of the power shaft l2, and comprises a cam 63, Fig. 5, which is fixed to the power shaft 12. A cam roller 64 is held against the periphery of the cam 63, being rotatably mounted on an oscillating arm 65. The arm 65 drives an arm 66 which is oscillated in a vertical arc by the movement of the arm 65 from the cam 63. The arm 66 is pivotally connected at 67 to a rod 68 which is pivotally connected at 69 to a link 70, Figs. 2, 3 and 5. The link '7d is rigidly connected to a cross shaft 7ll to which a stop arm 72 is rigidly connected. The rotation of the shaft 12, therefore, causes rocking movement of the timing arm 72. inasmuch as the power shaft l2, Fig. 5, controls the operation of the arm 43, as well as causing the operation of the time stop arm 72, the packages will be delivered to the elevating means 24 when two packages are released by the stopping arm 72. The construction and arrangement are such, therefore, that the articles, as they arrive against the stopper arm '72, will be released at precisely the proper moment when the sweep arms 28 of the elevating mechanism 24 arrive in the proper receiving position.

Operation of clamps 43 and 44 and stop 72 In order to provide for delivering the articles or packages 6 to the elevator mechanism 24, Figs. 3 and 4, the line or train of articles 6 may be stopped intermittently while two articles at the head of the line or train are permitted to enter the yelevating mechanism 24. The articles 6, in transit toward the mechanism 24 for elevation by the sweep arms 28 thereof, are halted by the stop member 72, against which the first or leading article of the line or train may abut. The mechanical clamp 43 may be closed intermittently by the rocking movement of the shaft 46 to thereby clamp the third article or package (the first of the next two articles) in the stopped line or train. Thereafter, the rock shaft 7l may be turned to raise the stop member 72, thereby allowing the lirst two packages of the stopped line to be delivered by the conveyor 3 into the elevating mechanism 24.

Since the rock shafts 46 and '7l are driven in timed relationship respectively by the cams 62 and 63 on the shaft l2, Fig. 5, the mechanical clamp 43, and the stop member 72 operate in synchronism to release a pair of articles successively from the forward end of the line or train for delivery to the elevating mechanism, while restraining forward movement of the third and successive articles of the line. During the interval while the stop member 72 is raised, the mechanical clamp 43 will remain in closed or clamped position until after the stop member 72 shall have been returned to its package stopping position. The mechanical clamp 43 may then open to allow the line or train of packages 6 to again advance until stopped by engagement of the rst or leading package with the stop member '72. The foregoing intermittent package releasing operation of the mechanical clamp 43 and stop 72 may continue without interruption so long as the supply of packages or articles in the package train is maintained.

The present invention, however, contemplates the provision of means for stopping the package releasing operation of the mechanism in the event that the supply of articles 6 in the article train or line should fail to be maintained. To this end, detector means may be provided, at a suitable locus or station in the path of the articles of the line or train, to determine whether or not an adequate supply of articles is being maintained. The detector means may comprise lever arms 4d, 46', Fig. 3, pivoted adjacent the path of the line of articles, in spaced relationship, so that the levers may engage and be supported by a pair of adjacent articles at the front of the line or train. Associated with each lever' is a microswitch 4i, 4i. Each microswitch may be held closed so long as its associated lever 4t) is supported by an article in the line of articles, each switch being allowed to open when its associated lever ceases to be supported by an article 6, as when the supply of articles in the package line is reduced to such extent that the levers 4t) are unsupported. The switches 4l, 4i may be interconnected in a suitable electrical circuit for the operation of a package line holdup clamp 44 disposed adjacent the mechanical clamp 43 and adapted to prevent forward movement of the package of the line whenever one or both of the detectors 4t), 40 show failure of the supply of articles in the line.

In order to operate the hold-up clamp 44, Fig. 4, under the control of the microswitches 41, 4i', suitable spring means may be provided for normally urging the clamp 44 on the shaft 46 toward package clamping position; and a solenoid S may be provided for holding the clamp 44 in retracted position when, and so long as, the solenoid is energized. To control the operation of the solenoid, it may be interconnected between power conductors C and C', in series with a normally open relay switch RS adapted to be closed when an associated relay coil RC is energized. The coil RC may be interconnected between the power conductors C and C', in series with the micro switches 41 and 41 and a normally open control switch 43A, Fig. 4. The relay coil may also be interconnected between the conductors C and C in series with a relay holding switch R82 and a normally closed control switch 43B, the switches R82 and 43B being in parallel relationship with respect to the Control switch 43A and the microswitches 41 and 41'.

The control switches 43A and 43B are operated in unison with the mechanical clamp 43 so that the normally open switch 43A will be closed and will remain closed, and the normally closed switch 43B will open and will remain open only when and so long as the mechanical clamp 43 is in closed clamping position with respect to an article 6. This may be accomplished by means of Vswitch operating cams A and B mounted on the shaft 46 t0 move in unison with the clamp 43. The cams A and B may have switch operating cam portions Pa and Pb.

So long as` an adequate supply of packages is maintained in the line of articles, the microswitches 41 and 41 will remain closed. Since the normally open switch 43A closes and remains closed each time and so long as the clamp 43 is moved to and remains in closed position, the relay coil RC will be energized in response to closure of the switch 43A, immediately after closure of the microswitches 41, 41', as the result of establishment of the line of articles containing a predetermined number of packages. When the coil RC is thus energized, switches RS1 and R82 will both close. Closure of the switch RS1 will energize the solenoid S and retract the clamp 44 from package clamping position. Closure of the switch RS2 will serve to maintain the supply of energizing power to the relay coil RC, when the switch 43A opens with the periodic release of the clamp 43, providing, of course, that the switch 43B is closed when switch 43A is open. To such end7 the switch actuating cams A and B may be so formed as to assure that the switches 43A and 43B are never both open simultaneously. This may be accomplished by forming the cam portions Pa and Pb so that each switch must close before the other may open. As a consequence of the foregoing arrangement, so long as an adequate package supply is maintained, both of the microswitches 41 and 41 will remain closed and the solenoid RC will remain energized, either through the circuit containing the switch 43A or through the circuit containing the switch 43B, even though said switches respectively close and open with the intermittently operating clamp 43.

When one or both of the microswitches 41 is opened as the result of reduction of packages below a predetermined minimum number, the relay coil will remain energized until the switch 43B opens upon the closure of the clamp 43. As soon as the switch 43B opens with one or both of the switches 41, 41 open, or if one or both of the switches 41, 41 should open while the switch 43B is open, the coil RC will immediately become de-energized, thereby allowing the switches RS1 and RS2 to open. The opening of the switch RS will, of course, de-energize the solenoid S and allow the hold-up clamp 44 immediately to move to package clamping position, thereby halting further movement ot the package train. The clamp 44, after thus being released for clamping action, will remain in package clamping position until the supply of additional packages in the article train shall actuate the detectors 40, 40 and again cause closure of the switches 41 and 41'.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the switches 43A and 43B operate to prevent actuation of the clamp 44 in the clamping direction as well as in the releasing direction, except when the mechanical clamp 43 is in clamping position. This is a highly desirable aspect of the invention, since packages may be delivered into the train and thus may operate the switches 41, 41' at any instant during the operating cycle of the clamp 43 and stop 72, thereby affording the possibility of a package jam at the elevator mechanism in the event that the clamp 44 should operate either to clamping or to releasing position except when the clamp 43 is in package clamping position and the train is consequently stationary.

After two articles are released from a belt 5, they will move in end-to-end relationship into position to be engaged by the sweep arms 2E for elevation to the top of the bed 23. The two end-to-end articles are then moved along the bed 23 by the transport mechanism 9, deposited on the conveyor 36, and then be positioned onto the conveyer 39 where they will be in two lines in end-to-end relationship, as shown in Figs. 11 to 13. The articles are conveyed by the conveyer 39 to be further advanced to a rigid vertical conveyer or transfer wheel 73 for shifting two articles, one from each line, at right angles, and then later transported in pairs in contacting side-by-side relation for discharge into cartons, Figs. 14 to 19 inclusive.

Transfer wheel 73 The articles 6, Fig. 12, as they arrive in two lines toward the discharge end of the conveyer 39, are adapted to be picked up and their positions shifted by a transfer wheel or device 73. The transfer device 73, Figs. 12 and 13, comprises a vertical shaft 74 which ifs driven by a gear 75, Fig. 12, from mechanism (not shown) but which may include an operable part of certain cartoning mechanism (not shown).

The transfer device or wheel 73, Fig. 12, includes a at disc or plate 76 to which certain (three being shown) sweep arms 77 are connected, the arms being positioned relatively tangentially with respect to the periphery of the disc 76. The sweep arms 77 overlie the top of the conveyer 39 at its discharge end, and over the top of a supporting plate or table 78. Thus, as the articles are moving along the conveyer 39, a sweep arm 77 will pick up a pair of articles 6 and sweep them along the plate or table 78 in a position at right angles to the position the articles attain on the conveyer 39. The sweep arms 77 move the articles in pairs from the position shown at 79, Fig. 15, to the position shown at 80 in that ligure. As soon as the articles, in pairs, arrive at position 80, they are successively engaged by pusher means 81, Figs. 12 to 14.

Pusher means 81 The pusher means 81, Figs. 14-19, include a transverse pusher arm 82 which is arranged between opposed parallel sprocket chains 83 and 34, Fig. 14. The sprocket chain 83 is trained over sprockets 85 and S6?, while the sprocket chain 84 is trained over sprockets 87 and 83 respectively. The pusher means 81 includes side arms 89 and 90, Fig. 14, which are pivoted at 91 and 92 respeo tively to respective chains S3 and 84, Fig. 14. lt is to be noted that the pivotal connections 91 and 92 are not directly opposite to each other. The pivotal connection 91 to a chain 83 is arranged forwardly of the opposite pivotal connection 92 on its cooperating chain S4. The connection 91 is spaced longitudinally on the chain 83 a predetermined distance from the other pivotal connection 92 on the chain 84.

The shaft 93 of the sprocket 86, Fig. 14, is spaced forwardly of the shaft 94 of the sprocket 83. Also the shaft 95 of the sprocket SL' is spaced forwardly of the shaft 96 of the sprocket 37. The longitudinal spacing between the shafts 93 and 94 is equal to the spacing between the shafts 95 and 96, the shafts of opposed sprockets not being in axial alignment, Fig. 14. The pivotal connection of an arm 89 to a chain 83, and the pivotal connection 92 to the chain 84 is equal to the difference in longtiudinal spacement of the shaft 93 with respect to the shaft 94. The spacing of the opposed pivotal connections 91 and 92 is also equal to the space between the shafts 95 and 96. lt is because of the equal offset spacing of the pivots 91 and 92, being equal to the offset spacing of the shafts 93 and 94, (or shafts 95 and 96) that the pusher arms 82 operate in exactly the same manner as though the sprocket shafts were in direct axial alignment and that the pivotal connections 91 and 92 were directly opposite each other on their respective chains 83 and 84. However, were the connections 91 and 92 opposite each other with the sprockets oset, or the connections 91 and 92 otset and the sprockets opposite, the chains or pushers would foul. The present arrangement of having the pivotal connection of the arms S9 and 91B at offset points with respect to the chains to which they are connected, and by offsetting the stub shafts of the sprockets, a space is provided at the forward end and beneath the mechanism to provide space for the operation of the rigid sweep arm conveyer 73.

Either a sprocket 85 or Se may be the driving sprocket for the chain 83, while its other cooperating sprocket may be the idler sprocket. Also, either a sprocket 87 or 33 may be the driving sprocket while its other cooperating sprocket may be the idler sprocket. The two driving sprockets are driven by proper gears from suitable means not shown, such as by an operating part of the cartoning mechanism. A pair of articles 6 will be swept from the conveyer 39 and moved onto the plate 78 just prior to the time a pusher arm 82 arrives to pick up an article 6, as clearly shown in Fig. 15.

The translation of the successive arms S2 moves two articles 6 immediately in front of a pusher arm 82 and move them along the plate or table 78 for deposit on a cartoning conveyor device 97, Fig. 19.

Stops or holder elements 98, Fig. 12, which may be similar to the previously described stop members 43 and 44, are arranged just ahead of the transfer wheel 73. These stop members engage the sides of two side-by-side articles as they are being moved along the conveyer 39. These stops 98 tirst engage, and then hold, a pair of side-by-side articles 6 and release later the two articles.

These stops 9S are for the purpose of holding two articles in place to be released at the proper time so that a pair of the articles will be in place to be engaged by an arm 77 of the transfer wheel or device 73, Fig. 12. The arms 77 pick up pairs of side-by-side articles and sweep them along the table 78 to be picked up and conveyed successively by the arms 82, Fig. 14. The arms 32 propel the articles in pairs, side by side, to the continuously operating cartoning conveyer 97 which comprises spaced apart buckets hingedly connected together. After pairs of packages 6 are successively received in the successive buckets, they will be inserted by pushers 99 for insertion into a carton 109, Fig. 19. The construction of the cartoning mechanism is such that the cartons Mill, pairs of articles 6, and the pusher 99 all move as the articles move toward discharge position. During such movement, the articles will be placed within the carton and the flaps and tucks folded to close the carton. The closed carton may be later wrapped if desired.

Guides 101, Fig. 14, may be provided to insure the pushers 82 being maintained in proper horizontal position. These guides receive rollers 102 which are pivotally mounted on the arms of the pusher members S1. The rollers 102 are received in the raceways of the guides 101, Fig. 14, and thus maintain the pusher members 82 in proper horizontal position.

Operation The articles 6, which in the present specific instance each comprises a package of sacked cookies arranged in relatively cylindrical form, are carried along successively by one or more conveyers 3, being conveyed by the belts upon which the articles are supported.

Stop means 4.3 and ld engage an article and hold the articles rearward of the clamped packages as the conveyer belt 5 slides under them. The stop members 43 and 44 time the packages as they travel along the con veyers for deposit onto the overhead conveyer 16. The operation of the stop members 43 and 44 is controlled by a rock shaft, successively causing the articles to be first engaged and then released. After the release of two articles, arranged in end-to-end relationship, they will be held back by a timer stop arm 72 so that at the proper precise moment the two articles will be released from a belt 5 to discharge to the elevating mechanism 24 where they will be picked up by a sweep arm for elevation on top of the bed 23 of the transport mechanism 9. Successive pairs of articles move along the bed 23, as shown in Fig. 11, where they will be conveyed along the bed 23 by the arms 18 of the pushers 16. Pairs of articles 6 are thus arranged in axial alignment, as shown in Fig. 11, and later pushed olf the bed 23 by the pusher arms 18 of the pusher 16. The articles are moved by the moving conveyer 3o for discharge onto the subsequent moving conveyer 39 for delivery to the transfer wheel 73 as shown in Fig. 11. At a point near the discharge end of the conveyer 39, the stops 98, 98, of the type shown in Figs. 9 to l1 of the aforesaid copending application, time the articles so that they will be in proper position with respect to the sweep arms 77 of the transfer wheel or device 73. The sweep arms 77 move the articles in pairs from the position shown at 79, to a position at right angles as shown at Sil, Fig. 15, for engagement by the pusher members 81. The members 81 move each pair of articles successively onward until they are received in buckets of a cartoning conveyer 97. A pusher element 99 then pushes the pair of articles off the conveyer 97 and into a carton ltlll.

The construction of the machine of the present invention is such that articles from each conveyer 3 will be fed in proper timed relation with respect to the structure which commences the next succeeding operation, continuously from the time the articles are received on the conveyer 3 until they are packaged into a carton 100.

The machine of the invention receives articles in single lines from a plurality of conveyers 3, gathers the articles from the conveyers 3 in groups of two in proper succes` sive positions, redistributes the articles in two lines and in end-to-end position, arranging the articles at right angles in groups of two, and then cartoning by pushing pairs of articles into a single carton.

The entire construction and arrangement are such that each operating member or device may be operate-d by its own prime mover independent of any other prime mover, as automatic means are provided for holding packages or articles in time with respect to the various units.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fall fairly within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

l. Conveying and transporting mechanism compris- `ing a plurality of constantly operating conveyers for conveying articles to a predetermined discharge point of each conveyer and in end-toend relation in single lines, constantly operating transport means spaced above the conveyers for receiving articles successively from each conveyer, and intermediate means arranged intermediate the conveyers and the transport means for delivering articles from the conveyers successively to the transport means on the transport means at an angle to the conveyers, said intermediate means including a rotatable shaft horizontally disposed above each conveyer and below the transport means, and sweep means attached to each shaft and rotatable therewith for sweeping groups of articles from the conveyer to the transport means.

2. Conveying and transporting mechanism comprising a plurality of constantly operating conveyers for convey-- ing articles to a predetermined discharge point of each conveyer and in end-to-end relation in single lines, constantly operating transport means spaced above the conveyers for receiving articles successively from each conveyer, intermediate means arranged intermediate the conveyers and the transport means for delivering articles from conveyers successively to the transport means on the transport means at an angle to the conveyers, said intermediate means including a rotatable shaft horizontally disposed above each conveyer and below the transport means, and sweep means attached to each shaft and rotatable therewith for sweeping groups of articles from the conveyer to the transport means, means receiving the articles from the transport means, and means for spacing said articles apart laterally and longitudinally after discharge from the transport means to arrange said articles into a plurality of parallel lines with the articles of each line positioned in end-to-end relation.

3. Conveying and transporting mechanism comprising a plurality of constantly operating conveyers for conveying articles to a predetermined discharge point of each conveyer and in end-to-end relation in single lines, constantly operating transport means positioned above the conveyers for receiving articles successively from each conveyer, intermediate means arranged intermediate the conveyors and the transport means for delivering articles from conveyers successively to the transport means on the transport means at an angle to the conveyers, said intermediate means including a rotatable shaft horizontally disposed above each conveyer and below the transport means,` and sweep means attached to each shaft and rotatable therewith for sweeping groups of articles from the conveyer to the transport means, means receiving the articles from the transport means, means for spacing said articles apart laterally and longitudinally after discharge from the transport means into a plurality of spaced lines with the articles of each line arranged in end-to-end relation.

4'. Conveying and transporting mechanism comprising a plurality of continuously moving conveyers each delivering articles to a discharge point in a single line and end-to-end relation, a plurality of adjacent successively spaced transfer means each located adjacent the discharge end of each conveyer to receive a group of articles from each conveyer successively in end-to-end relation and deliver said groups successively to a predetermined position, means for timing the delivery of articles from said conveyers to said transfer means in timed relation with the operation of said transfer means, transport means positioned' above the conveyors and angularly disposed with respect to the conveyers and the transfer means for receiving said successive groups from the transfer means, said groups delivered by the transfer means being spaced apart sideways from adjacent groups transferred by the successive transfer means, and means for operating the transport means in timed relation with respect to the transfer means.

5. Conveying and transporting mechanism comprising a plurality of continuously moving conveyers, each delivering articles in end-to-end relation in a single line to discharge position, a plurality of adjacent successively spaced transfer means each located adjacent the discharge end of each conveyer to receive a group of articles from each conveyer successively in end-to-end relation and deliver said groups successively to a predetermined position, means for timing the discharge of articles `from each conveyer to the transfer means in timed relation with the operation of the transfer means, transport means angularly disposed with respect to the conveyers and the transfer means for receiving said successive groups from the transfer means, said groups delivered by the transfer means being spaced apart sideways from adjacent groups transferred by the successive transfer means, means for operating the transport means in timed relation with respect to the transfer means, angularly disposed conveying means receiving the groups of articles `from the transport means, and means for positioning the articles of each group into a plurality of lines with the articles of each line arranged in end-to-end relation.

6. Conveying and transporting mechanism comprising arplurality of continuously moving conveyers, each delivering articles in end-to-end relation in a single line to discharge position, a plurality of adjacent successively spaced transfer means each located adjacent the discharge end of each conveyer to receive a group of articles from each conveyer successively in end-to-end relation and deliver said groups successively to a predetermined position, means for timing the discharge of articles from each conveyer to the transfer means in timed relationl with the operation of the transfer means, transport means angularly disposed with respect to the conveyers and the transfer means for receiving said successive groups from the transfer means, said groups delivered by the transfer means being spaced apart sideways from adjacent groups transferred by the successive transfer means, means for operating the transport means in timed relation with respect to the transfer means, angularly disposed conveying means receiving the groups of articles from the transport means, means for positioning the articles of each group into a plurality of lines with the articles of each line arranged in end-to-end relation, and rotary means for shifting said articles in groups from said latter end-to-end relation to side-by-side relation.

7. A conveying machine comprising a conveyer to convey articles in a single line in end-to-end relation to discharge position, stop means at said discharge position to prevent articles from being discharged from the conveyer, clamp means in advance of the stop means to engage at least one article on the conveyer, means to release the clamp means, means to operate the stop means to release articles therefrom for discharge from the conveyer after the clamping means are in clamped position, transfer means receiving articles from the conveyer when said articles are released by the stop means, transport means to transport articles from the transfer means, a conveyer receiving articles from the transport means, a transfer wheel to receive articles from the latter conveyer, stop means to hold packages on the latter conveyer before said articles are received by said transfer wheel, timing means to operate said latter stop means to release packages, and conveying means to convey articles from the transfer wheel, and cartoning means including a conveyer to convey packages to a predetermined position for insertion into a carton.

8. Article conveying mechanism comprising a conveyer for conveying articles to discharge position, stop means for holding articles in a stationary position for a predetermined time interval, clamping means to hold articles in a predetermined position for a predetermined length of time, means to release the holding action of the clamping means, means to release the stop means after the release of the clamp means, and transfer means at the discharge position of the conveyer, said transfer means including a sweep member rotatable about a horizontal axis above the conveyer, said rotatable member being operative to sweep groups of the articles from the discharge position of the conveyer to a position above the horizontal axis, said transfer means being operatively associated with the stop means and the clamp means whereby the sweep member operates in timed relation with the clamping means and the stop means.

9. Article conveying mechanism comprising a conveyer for conveying articles to discharge position, stop means for holding articles in a stationary position for a predetermined time interval, clamping means to hold articles in a predetermined position for a predetermined length of time, means to release the holding action of the clamping means, means to release the stop means after the release of the clamp means, said stop means comprising an arm arranged in the path of movement of articles on said conveyer, a rock shaft to which said stop means is attached, a cam for operating said stop means, linkage operated by said cam and operatively connected to said rock shaft, and transfer means at the discharge position of the conveyer, said transfer means including a sweep member rotatable about a horizontal axis above the conveyer, said rotatable member being operative to sweep `groups of the articles from the discharge position of the conveyer to a position above the horizontal axis, said transfer means being operatively associated with the stop means and the clamp means whereby the sweep member operates in timed relation with the clamping means and the stop means.

l0. Article conveying mechanism comprising a conveyer for conveying articles to discharge position, stop means operatively associated with the conveyer for holding articles in a stationary position for a predetermined time interval, clamping means associated with the conveyer and positioned ahead of the stop means to hold articles in a predetermined position for a predetermined length of time, means associated with the clamping means to release the holding action of the clamping means, means associated with the stop means and the clamping means to release the stop means after the release of the clamp means, said clamping means comprising an electrically operated clamp and a mechanically operated clamp, positioned adjacently, a solenoid operatively associated with the electrically operated clamp, and a microswitch operatively associated with said solenoid.

ll. Article conveying mechanism comprising a conveyer for conveying articles to discharge position, stop means operatively associated with the conveyer for holding articles in a stationary position for a predetermined time interval, clamping means associated with the conveyer and positioned ahead of the stop means to hold articles in a predetermined position for a predetermined length of time, ieans associated with the clamping means to release the holding action of the clamping means, means associated with the stop means and the clamping means to release the stop means after the release of the clamp means, said clamping means comprising an electrically operated clamp and a mechanically operated clamp positioned adjacently, a solenoid operatively associated with the electrically operated clamp, a microswitch operatively associated with said solenoid, a rock shaft coupled to said mechanically operated clamp for operation thereof, cam means 'to operate said rock shaft, and linkage connecting the cam means and the rock shaft to rock said shaft.

l2. Conveying and transporting mechanism comprising a plurality of continuously moving conveyers each delivering articles to a discharge point in a single line and end-toend relation, a plurality of adjacent successively spaced transfer means each located adjacent the discharge end of each conveyer to receive a group of articles from each conveyer successively in end-to-end relation and deliver said groups successively to a predetermined position, means for operating the transfer means in timed relation with the discharge of articles from the conveyers, transport means anguiarly disposed with respect to the conveyers and the transfer means for receiving said successive groups from the transfer means, said groups delivered by the transfer means being spaced apart sideways from adjacent groups transferred by the successive transfer means, means for operating the transport means in timed relation with respect to the transfer means, said transport means comprising a bed upon which articles are received from the transfer means, said bed having spaced openings therein opposite each transfer means through which successive groups are elevated by the transfer means, pivoted means normally closing said openings, said pivoted means being opened by the engagement of an article in Contact therewith when a group of articles is being transferred by the transfer means.

13. Conveying and transporting mechanism comprising a plurality of continuously moving conveyers each ldelivering articles to a discharge point in a single line and end-to-end relation, a plurality of adjacent successively spaced transfer means each located adjacent the discharge end of each conveyer to receive a group of articles from each conveyer successively in end-to-end relation and deliver said groups successively to a predetermined position, means for operating the transfer means in timed relation with the discharge of articles from the conveyers, transport means angularly disposed with respect to the conveyers and the transfer means for receiving said successive groups from the transfer means, said groups delivered by the transfer means being spaced apart sideways from adjacent groups transferred by the successive transfer means, means for operating the transport means in timed relation with respect to the transfer means, said transport means comprising a bed upon which articles are received from the transfer means, said bed having spaced openings therein opposite each transfer means through which successive groups are elevated by the transfer means, pivoted means normally closing said openings, said pivoted means being opened by the engagement of an article in contact therewith when a group of articles is being transferred by the transfer means, and continuously moving spaced apart endless chains, opposed reaches of which straddle the bed, and pusher arms connected to opposed chains.

14. Conveying and transporting mechanism comprising a plurality of continuously moving conveyers each delivering articles to a discharge point in a single line and end-to-end relation, a plurality of adjacent successively spaced transfer means each located adjacent the discharge end of each conveyer to receive a group of articles from each conveyer successively in end-to-end relation and deliver said groups successively to a predetermined position, means for operating the transfer means in timed relation with the discharge of articles from the conveyers, transport means angularly disposed with respect to the conveyers and the transfer means for receiving said successive groups from the transfer means, said groups delivered by the transfer means being spaced apart sideways from adjacent groups transferred by the successive transfer means, means for operating the transport means in timed relation with respect to the transfer means, said transfer means comprising a rotating shaft, a pluraltiy of sweep arms, a plurality of guides adjacent the sweep arms for sweeping a group of articles along the guides and elevating the groups to discharge position onto the transport means, pivoted means adjacent the discharge of the transfer means and movable by articles on the transfer means to permit said groups to be positioned on the transport means, said transport means comprising a bed upon which articles are received from the transfer means, said bed having spaced openings therein opposite each transfer means through which successive groups are elevated by the transfer means, pivoted means normally closing said openings, said pivoted means being opened by the engagement of an article in contact therewith when a group of articles is being transferred by the transfer means, and means to prevent operation of said mechanism when there are no articles being fed along any of said conveyers.

l5. Conveying and transporting mechanism comprising a plurality of continuously moving conveyers each delivering articles to a discharge point in a single line and end-to-end relation7 a plurality of adjacent successively spaced transfer means each located adjacent the discharge end of each conveyer to receive a group of articles from each conveyer successively in end-to-end relation and deliver said groups successively to a predetermined position, means for operating the transfer means in timed relation with the discharge of articles from the conveyers, transport means angularly disposed with respect to the conveyers and the transfer means for receiving said successive groups from the transfer means, said groups delivered by the transfer means being spaced apart sideways from adjacent groups transferred by the successive transfer means, means for operating the transport means in timed relation with respect to the transfer means, said transfer means comprising a rotating shaft, a plurality of sweep amis, a plurality of guides adjacent the sweep arms, said sweep arms being operative to sweep successive groups of articles along the guides and elevating the groups to discharge position onto the transport means, and pivoted means adjacent the discharge of the 17 transfer means and movable by articles on the transfer 2,368,738 means to permit said groups to be positioned on the trans- 2,525,132 port means. 2,599,221 2,689,636 References Cited in the file of this patent 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS 245 273 2,341,705 Fedorchak Feb. 1s, 1944 1231451 18 Bergmann Feb. 6, 1945 Herts Oct. 10, 1950 Bergmann June 3, 1952 Cunivan Sept. 21, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Jan. 7, 1926 Germany J'une 25, 1931 

